Sunnyvale Passes Green Building Ordinance

On March 24, 2009, the Sunnyvale City Council passed the long-awaited green building ordinance on a 4-3 vote, agreeing to implement on January 1, 2010.  Last Tuesday, April 7, the second reading of the ordinance passed on a 5-2 vote.  Mayor Spitaleri, Vice Mayor Moylan (who originated and championed the green building study issue), Councilmembers Swegles, Chu, and finally Howe, supported the ordinance on Tuesday.  Councilmember Whittum and Hamilton opposed the ordinance.  Councilmember Hamilton felt that the case for green buiding was so strong that incentives were unnecessary.  Further she felt that these incentives, allowing slightly larger buildings and smaller set backs for buildings which met more stringent green standards than those required, might negatively impact neighborhoods.  Councilmember Whittum did not support the need for an ordinance.
 
Staff is now working on getting the green building checklists ready to distribute to the public and the industry, so that both can begin to prepare for the fast-approaching implementation.   Staff worked many hours over a period of years studying the issue and preparing the report to Council presented and accepted last August and then extensively consulting with stakeholders and other jurisdictions in preparing the ordinance. 
 
Sunnyvale's ordinance is comprehensive, covering municipal, commercial and residential buildings and new construction, additions and remodels remodels.  Remodels fall under the ordinance when they reach a specified cost threshold.  The requirements are to become progressively stronger in time.  The table containing the standards are to be reviewed every 18 months.
 
Sunnyvale's ordinance does not currently require that buildings actually be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council or Build It Green after they are completed and commissioned.  The requirement is that a USGBC or BIG accredited professional sign that the plans meet the design intent of USGBC's LEED or BIG's Green Point Rated system.